Jachin Watkins' four-yard touchdown run with 26 seconds remaining capped off a miraculous 15-play, 80-yard drive as the Bears won a state championship for the second time in the past five years.

Watkins scored four rushing touchdowns and was named New Bern's Offensive Player of the Game as the Bears beat Porter Ridge, 39-38, in the 4A state championship game at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill on Friday night.

“What a game. I think everybody got their money's worth,” New Bern coach Bobby Curlings said. “It was back-and-forth, but hats off to our guys for never giving up. We had situations where things went bad, and we could have hung our heads, but they did a great job on that final drive.”

Watkins ran for 66 yards.

Bears' senior quarterback Josh Taylor was named the Most Valuable Player. Despite throwing three interceptions, Taylor ran for 156 yards and threw for 160 on 14-of-21 passing.

He made plays with his arm and legs on the final drive.

New Bern scored first on Bra'lon Cherry's 11-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, capping off a six-play, 80-yard drive.

The legs of Taylor knotted the score at 14-14 with 37 seconds remaining in the first quarter. On Porter Ridge's next drive, Duffy scampered for a 64-yard touchdown run.

Watkins, also a UNC-Charlotte commit, plowed into the end zone for a two-yard score, ending an 11-play, 80-yard drive.

The Bears went to halftime tied 21-21.

“All of the credit goes to the offensive line,” Watkins said. “Without them, I couldn't do it. They opened up the holes and I went through and scored.”

Taylor ran for 97 yards in the first half for the Bears, while Porter Ridge's Duffy gained 99 yards.

Porter Ridge began the second half with a 10-yard touchdown reception from Luke Bayly. Watkins came back with a 17-yard touchdown run, but the extra point was blocked.

The Pirates took advantage when Jerrick Robbins exploded for a 66-yard touchdown, extending their lead to 35-27.

Watkins then punched in a four-yard scoring run, but the Bears missed on the two-point conversion.

On New Bern's following possession, the Bears fumbled, and Porter Ridge recovered on the 12-yard line.

The Bears' defense held Porter Ridge to a field goal, keeping it a one possession game.

“The biggest play of the game was when we turned the ball over in their territory and held them to a field goal,” Curlings said. “We get into a situation where we had to have something and they step up.”

Page 2 of 2 - Cypress Borden was selected as New Bern's defensive player of the game after recording 12 tackles.

New Bern's offense gained 518 yards, including 358 on the ground. Chandler Powell ran for 68 yards and caught for 42. Cherry had 89 receiving yards and 56 rushing yards.

“I figured that whoever had the ball last would win it,” Curlings said. “Our defense gave up big runs, but that's a credit to Porter Ridge. Their offensive line really came off the ball and their running backs hit the hole.”

New Bern (15-0) previously won the 4AA state title with a 28-17 win over Charlotte Independence in 2007.

Adam Thompson can be reached at 252-635-5669 or at Adam.Thompson@newbernsj.com. Follow Adam on Twitter @Adam_matic.